“It's been real frustrating, both mentally and physically, through this whole time, but I got to credit the training staff and the doctors, they've been real good and real patient with me,'' Colaiacovo said. “Even management and coaches, they've understood the difficulty I've been going through, understand that I've been working my rear off on and off the ice.

“I'm really doing everything I can to get this thing to where I need to be. I'm at that point now where it's really close and I'm hoping that these next coming days I can give it a real shot.''

Colaiacovo said it helped getting a second opinion 10 days ago from a doctor in Toronto that he has known for some time.

“He saw some things there that were of some concern,'' Colaiacovo said. “I've treated them. I've been getting myself to the point where I'm close to 100 percent.

“It's been a long time, but at this point there's no sense rushing it back. I need to make sure it's 100 percent ready when I get back there. The last thing I want to do is force myself out there and put myself in a vulnerable position.''

Colaiacovo said conditioning won't be an issue. He's close to where he wants to be.

“Obviously, being in game shape is totally different, the timing of everything,'' he said. “The speed of guys in practice is nowhere near the speed of guys in the game. But I'm confident in my abilities, that when I get out there the rust will settle pretty quickly and I'll be back to where I need to be.''